When asked about Mu San’s whereabouts, Shi Jian said he didn’t know, and his expression didn’t seem to be lying.

Su Zhen was slightly shaken. It was thoughtful of Mu San to quietly provide her with food while preserving her dignity.

Just as she was about to hop away, Shi Jian grabbed her and said ominously, “How did you figure it out, you little rascal?”

“If it were you, at most it would be the same grade as the first meal you treated me to. The food these past days hasn’t been too bad.”

“I should have followed that Young Master Mu’s instructions exactly and still given you that day’s dishes, hmph.”

Hearing this, she was slightly stunned again.

So Mu San had originally given such instructions?

This man was thoroughly considerate. She never would have discovered it, except that Shi Jian hadn’t completely lost his conscience—taking Mu San’s money, he had improved the food. From small details, one could see the larger picture—Mu San was a deep mystery.

Watching Shi Jian make his abacus clatter, she smiled, “You’re also a good person.”

Shi Jian blew his beard and glared, “That first meal really was my treat.”

She nodded and bowed to him.

Her heart was comfortable, truly without resentment. Shi Jian had treated her quite well. As that female official had said, there were all kinds of people who came to watch excitement: those who were malicious, indifferent, purely observing, pitying, helping with ulterior motives, or helping without expectation of return. The middle type represented most people.

Afterward, she took Leng Xue to the Huo residence.

Today was the last day before the examination.

Seeking an audience with Marquis Huo, the two doormen saw their ordinary clothes and first showed contempt, saying, “Marquis Huo is at morning court right now. Besides, you don’t know that this marquis isn’t someone just anyone can see. Otherwise, wouldn’t beggars and lowly commoners be able to barge in at will?”

She restrained Leng Xue, whose expression had changed, and didn’t argue with these two. She took out the thumb ring and smiled, “This belongs to Marquis Huo. Please trouble yourself to give it to someone in the household who can speak. Ordinary servant dogs’ eyes can’t recognize this thing. Just say Lu County’s Li Huaisu requests an audience.”

The two doormen were about to get angry when their gazes fell on the thumb ring, and both were quite surprised.

Su Zhen thought this item was luxurious and didn’t match her clothing, but good things were still good things—even these kinds of people could recognize them.

They hesitated, and finally one took the item and went in to report, leaving the other to watch her.

Soon, the doorman came out hurriedly with another person.

The person behind him appeared to be the household steward by his looks.

His eyes held shrewd inquiry, but his courtesy was perfect. He bowed slightly to her, “May I ask where Young Master Li obtained this item?”

Su Zhen returned the courtesy and said simply that a friend had given it to her, saying she could seek Marquis Huo if she had trouble.

The steward pondered briefly, then invited her in to sit and wait, saying Marquis Huo would return to the residence soon. He then scolded the two doormen, saying they had slighted an honored guest.

Those two had already been frightened and now only mumbled apologies to her.

This thumb ring commanded such respect. Su Zhen’s mind increasingly pondered Baiyi’s identity and her relationship with Huo Chang’an.

In the end, she politely declined the steward’s kind offer, saying she had urgent matters, and made a strange request to him.

After hearing this odd request, the steward looked somewhat dazed but showed no trace of disdain, immediately saying, “I’ll arrange this for you right away.”